News is something I've always been interested in. Often this interest is more in the news business than it is in the news they are delivering. The internet has now matured to the point where I can get news from anywhere in the world, and I often seek multiple sources for coverage of a particular event.
However I do still tune into televised news, and most Canadians still get the majority of their news from their TV. This is why I think Al Jazeera should be available on Canadian cable television.
A number of CBC colleagues are now working for Al Jazeera's english language service, and via them I've been able to learn a lot about the programming produced for this network. For the most part it's excellent, and provides a crisp contrast to the rest of cable TV news.
You can view Al Jazeera online via Live Station, and once you do, I encourage you to contact the CRTC and participate in their current consulation regarding the network.
Here's a blurb from their website with more on the network:
“Al Jazeera English's global footprint continues to grow, and the channel now broadcasts to more than 140 million households on 6 continents in over 100 countries.
Al Jazeera English is broadcast from four strategic centers: Doha, Qatar; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; London, England and Washington, DC. Additionally, Al Jazeera Network maintains more than 70 bureaus across the world.
Unlike other international channels, the Al Jazeera English broadcast shifts as the world turns, providing the most comprehensive and contextual news coverage. Al Jazeera English’s mission is to provide independent, impartial news for a global audience and to offer a voice to a diversity of perspectives from under-reported regions.
Historically, the flow of information has run from North to South, from rich countries to poor. Al Jazeera English (AJE) aims to balance the information flow between the South and the North. The channel of reference for the Middle East and Africa, Al Jazeera English has unique access to some of the worlds most troubled and controversial locations.
Al Jazeera English’s determination and ability to accurately reflect the truth on the ground in regions torn by conflict and poverty has set our content apart…”
The Al Jazeera Web site is excellent
The reactionary views spouted during the debate about allowing Al Jazeera to operate in Canada do, unfortunately, have an impact. While most are shoot-first, ask-questions-later by people who have never even been exposed to the network, some mud always sticks to the wall. That's why I was so pleasantly surprised at the objectivity and quality of the journalism on the Al Jazeera Web site (http://english.aljazeera.net/). I discovered it while I was searching for retrospectives on the 30th anniversary of the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua. After poring through the Canadian, UK and US press, it provided by far the most informative, neutral and balanced commentary. It's now one of my preferred news bookmarks.
Thanks for supporting Al Jazeera
I've been working with a couple of groups (Campaign for Democratic Media and Canadians for Al Jazeera) to encourage Canadians to write to the CRTC in support of Al Jazeera's application to air in Canada. Today's the deadline for comments. In case you can help spread the word, please send out our action alert. Many thanks.
Anita
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ACTION ALERT: We want Al Jazeera English!
The deadline for comments is today: Monday, June 8. It takes just a minute to fill out the form in support of Al Jazeera airing in Canada. The form is sent directly to the broadcast regulator via our Action Centre
TAKE ACTION:
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/al_jazeera
Canadians for Al Jazeera and Campaign for Democratic Media are partnering in their efforts to mobilize support for Al Jazeera English's application to air in Canada. We have already obtained about 1,000 letters. Please add your voice to the campaign.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/al_jazeera
and pass on ACTION ALERT to your Friends
Al Jazeera English is renowned for its high journalistic standards; for its fearless, unembedded reporting, including in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; for giving a global voice to the South; for speaking truth to power; and for its diversity of voices from around the world.
For more information about Al Jazeera and the Canadians for Al Jazeera Campaign please visit: http://www.canadiansforaljazeera.ca and the Campaign for Democratic Media visit: http://democraticmedia.ca/aljazeera
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